Warning to drivers to be more alert after three pedestrians hit during morning commute

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (April 16, 2015)-- The Thursday morning rush turned into more than a rough commute for drivers but for police as well. Three pedestrians were struck by vehicles during the morning drive.

"Weather may have been a contributing factor as well. For our vehicular drivers we want them to understand you cannot operative your vehicle the same conditions you would if the roads were clear," said IMPD Officer Christopher Wilburn.

First a 12-year-old girl was seriously hurt after a driver struck her in an SUV while she was getting on the school bus. She suffered a few bumps and bruises and was taken to the hospital. AA driving school president Don Gross says drivers need to pay extra close attention in school zones.

"Reduce that speed obey those school zone speed limits and being particularly alert to kids. Kids will dart out into traffic, they don't think about it," said Gross.

Another pedestrian was struck while walking in the street near Washington Square Mall. He suffered a serious head injury. Gross says with more people walking now it's important to utilize cross walks. We went along for a drive and found many people not taking a few extra steps to cross the street safely. And if there are no sidewalks you can still maneuver the road properly.

"Walk facing traffic. Again it's visibility. A lot of times we forget as pedestrians how difficult it is to see us. The pedestrian should be wearing some light colored clothing if they know they're going to be walking in the street," said Gross.

More bikers will be hitting the roads as well and drivers need to look out for them and respect bike lanes.

"It's really easy to miss a biker in our mirrors. We got to really check that blind spot anytime we're changing lanes. Particularly if we're making a right turn where the bike lanes are on our right spot," said Gross.

IMPD says stop and call police if you think you hit something and you're unsure what it is. And thankfully all of those drivers stopped after Thursday morning's incidents.